Why recycle wine corks?
There are 13 billion (yes, billion!) natural cork wine stoppers sold into the world market each year. At present, the majority of them end up in landfills. Cork is ideal for recycling. It is biodegradable, renewable, energy efficient, sustainable and 100% natural.

What are recycled wine corks used for?Recycled wine corks can find a new life as shoe soles, fishing rod handles, bulletin boards, place mats, flooring tiles, building insulation, gaskets, packaging materials, under playground equipment, and even as a soil amendment in compost.

What makes natural cork environmentally special?Natural cork is made up of billions of cells. This gives cork its buoyant, elastic quality as well as the ability to absorb and retain nearly 9 grams of C02 throughout the life of the cork. And, with 13 billion corks sold each year worldwide, cork is an important source of C02 retention.

What wine corks are included in this program?
Corks made of granular particles, like Champagne corks, are called “technical” corks and they are included. Synthetic corks and aluminum screw cap closures are also not included in this program.

Where can I send my corks to be recycled?Make Cork Recycling a Way of Life! Continue to collect corks and ship them directly to Yemm & Hart: